We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Lei Pinlac and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle Lei, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I feel like there’s a lot of factors behind it, but I think a big one is realizing that I’m not someone who just sits back and lets life happen to me. If there’s something I want, it may take me some time to plan and take action, but I’ll find a way make it happen. And if it doesn’t work out, then I trust that it wasn’t meant for me. Or if I don’t take action at all, then that means I didn’t want it bad enough and I dont dwell on it. I believe the right opportunities align exactly when they’re supposed to happen. I have this mentality in the back of my mind everyday and I let it guide me when making decisions for myself and my career.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a Home and Lifestyle creator, specializing in content that revolves around all things home, with a mix of lifestyle elements like fashion and travel. My love for interiors, design, and home decor runs deep – I think I got it from my Mom, who was a successful realtor and had a passion for staging homes. I’ve always been drawn to the idea of creating beautiful, inviting spaces, and I love finding simple ways to elevate everyday moments in both home and life. I started my channel to share this passion and to inspire others with an elevated yet approachable way to decorate their homes. And, of course, it also gives me the perfect excuse to put my shopping addiction to good use because I love to shop!

I wish I could say the journey was easy, but like anything worthwhile, it has taken a lot of hard work and, most importantly, unwavering belief in myself. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of comparison and imposter syndrome when you’re constantly exposed to other creators online. I’m still learning how to navigate this, but one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to trust in myself and my unique perspective. I don’t have a formal background in interior design, I was actually a software engineer working at one of the Big Tech companies before this, but I’ve always had an eye for design and knew what looked good. I chose to follow that instinct (and quite frankly, something I’m better at and enjoyed much more than engineering), and it’s led me to where I am today.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m still relatively new to California, I moved here at the end of 2022, but after 2.5 years in Orange County, I’ve definitely found some favorites! I’m very food-motivated, so any trip or itinerary needs to revolve around good food, cute coffee shops, and of course, some shopping 🙂

Definitely need to do breakfast or brunch at Haute Café in Rancho Santa Margarita – it’s one of my go-to spots. After that, some retail therapy at Fashion Island in Newport, which has the perfect mix of high-end stores and a great outdoor atmosphere. A mid-day coffee break is a must, and Coffee Dose in Costa Mesa is the spot – it’s super fun, totally Instagrammable, and love the vibe.

Another must-do is spending a day at Lido Marina Village – one of my favorite places to stroll, shop, and eat. It’s right by the water, so you can even rent a boat for a couple of hours if you’re feeling extra. Some of my favorite stores are here, like Jenni Kayne, Amber Interiors, The RealReal, and Le Labo. Obviously need to grab lunch so it’s between Malibu Farm, Zinqué, and Nobu which are all amazing options. And the cutest coffee shop, Herst Coffee, is here for a little pick me up. I’d wrap up the day with drinks and a sunset at The Rooftop in Laguna Beach because there’s nothing I love more than golden hour.

For me, the perfect itinerary is always a mix of good food, cute coffee shops, shopping, and a solid happy hour so that’s exactly what you’d get!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents, sisters, and fiancé have all played a huge role in my success. My parents have always supported me unconditionally, trusting my decisions and allowing me the freedom to pursue my own path. My two older sisters are strong, inspiring women who have been role models for me since childhood and continue to be even now as an adult. And my fiancé has been my rock through it all. He’s seen every challenge, every moment of doubt, and has remained my biggest supporter and consistently helping in any way he can to make my dreams a reality.

Website: https://www.bymichellelei.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/bymichellelei

Other: https://tiktok.com/@bymichellelei

Image Credits
the photo of me holding the microphone was from a company called Happy Monday – i was a panel speaker for Amazon Influencer Program for Asian American and Pacific Islander month and they were doing the photos. It was in color but i made it B&W

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